Anderson County residents may get a tax break: About a dollar

Anderson County Commission approved the county’s $23.9 million budget Thursday night and could approve a property tax rate tonight that could cut local household’s tax bill next year by about $1.

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By Donna Smith

Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN

By Donna Smith

Posted Jun. 17, 2013 at 7:41 PM
Updated Jun 17, 2013 at 7:43 PM

By Donna Smith

Posted Jun. 17, 2013 at 7:41 PM
Updated Jun 17, 2013 at 7:43 PM

Clinton, Tenn.

Anderson County Commission approved the county’s $23.9 million budget Thursday night and could approve a property tax rate tonight that could cut local household’s tax bill next year by about $1.

Upset by some of the laughter and joking that erupted when she asked Commission to reduce the property tax rate by about one-third of one cent, County Mayor Terry Frank said, “It is symbolic and it is important. I think it means something.”

Commission approved a motion to cut the tax rate by about one-third of a penny.

Tonight, Budget Director Chris Phillips will provide Commissioners with the documentation to set the tax rate. If approved at the Commission’s monthly meeting, Oak Ridge property owners will pay $2.347 per $100 of assessed property value; Clinton residents, $2.50; and all other Anderson Countians, $2.529.

The reduction came about because of Commission’s action Thursday night to increase the funds for the Alternatives to Incarceration program that seeks ways to offer rehabilitation to county prisoners and keep them from coming back to jail. Through a motion by Commissioner Myron Iwanski, amended by Commissioner Steve Mead, both of Oak Ridge, the Commission increased the projected property tax revenues over this year’s collections by 1 percent to enable the Commission to increase the Alternatives program from $58,000 to $150,000.

Phillips said the 1 percent increase in the projection adds another $150,000 to the budget. The difference between the $92,000 in revenue needed and the $150,000 allows the Commission to cut the tax rate less than a penny.

Frank had wanted the Alternatives program cut back to $58,000 from $300,000, but Iwanski said if Commission moves forward in seeking federal inmates and their accompanying boarding fees for the jail, the county will need to keep the local jail inmate population from increasing so beds are available for federal inmates.

Much of the nearly three hour meeting centered on funding jailers for the jail currently and when the new jail pod opens in January. Sheriff Paul White contended that he didn’t have money in his proposed budget to pay for 18 current jailers and he wouldn’t be opening the new jail pod until he got 36 new jailers. Funds for 15 full-time jailers who would want family coverage — $750,000 — is included in the Sheriff’s Department budget for next year.

Frank, Phillips and commissioners explained the way the 18 jailers had been funded through boarding fees for more-than-expected state inmates — about 90 are regularly being housed at the jail — and other methods. The Commission assured the sheriff that if money for needed jailers doesn’t come in, they will find a way to provide it.

Phillips, complying with Commission’s instructions from a meeting earlier in the week, said the $750,000 for 15 new jailers could actually pay for 31 to 37 jailers depending upon when they are hired and whether they take single or family insurance.

Page 2 of 2 - The budget includes no pay raises for county employees, but they do get an additional paid day off and Commission took action that would help them more with insurance costs.

Commission meets at 6:30 tonight in Room 312 of the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.